Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of turbulent flow and particle motion are being conducted to evaluate the frequency and severity of collisions between marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy devices and debris or aquatic organisms. The work is part of a collaborative research project between Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Sandia National Laboratories , funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Wind and Water Power Program. During FY2010 a reference design for an axial flow MHK turbine was used to develop a computational geometry for inclusion into a CFD model. Unsteady simulations of turbulent flow and the moving MHK turbine blades are being performed and the results used for simulation of particle trajectories. Preliminary results and plans for future work are presented.
Revised: February 4, 2011 |
Published: November 30, 2010
Citation
Richmond M.C., C.L. Rakowski, W.A. Perkins, and J.A. Serkowski. 2010.Simulating Collisions for Hydrokinetic Turbines. FY2010 Annual Progress Report. PNNL-19860. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.